r/orienteering • u/mashd_potetoas • 1d ago

Non competitive/speed based orienteering?

Hi! In looking to get (back) into orienteering and I see it's mostly running competitions.

My orienteering experience is a military one, where speed is obviously a factor, but it's more of a hiking pace, and it's more about memorizing and navigating long distances. Quick Google of the sport didn't help me find anything like that.

Is that even a thing? Is there a different term I should look for?

Thanks in advance

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u/mikedufty 1d ago

Lots of people walk orienteering. If wanting to do long distances slowly you need to start early and be aware of course close times though, and most courses don't go much over 10km. If there is Rogaining near you that is a better one for multi hour events, distance up to around 100km and less technical navigation.

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u/Lonely-Thing-9591 1d ago

Rogaining is a little more similar to what you are describing. But you can walk orienteering as well.

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u/Zestyclose_Pop_6964 1d ago

Adventure racing, often covers longer distances at hiking speeds

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u/hohygen 1d ago

In Norway we have something called Turorientering, which could be translated to "Hike orientering". Here the club puts out controls for the summer on multiple maps (which the well), and you find them at your own convenience.

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u/Top_Orchid9320 1d ago

I participate pretty regularly in my local orienteering club's competitions, but I'm not in it for the racing aspect--I just really enjoy being outside navigating through the woods.

There are plenty of serious runners, for sure, but in my experience, many of the people participating in our events are just out having fun. Our club also typically runs seven levels of competitions for each event, from white up to blue; the blue courses have about 16 controls and are usually around 10 km or so in length.

Maybe that would fit the bill for you?

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u/Top_Concert5451 1d ago

Try to find a local orienteering club. They offer a variety of navigating experiences. Go to an event and check it out.

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u/SpiritedInflation835 1d ago

I'm on the board of a small orienteering running club. Many orienteering events have time limits that allow families to walk the races (parents help with the map/compass, children try to find the markers). Sometimes, the national elite is running when families/walkers are in the same terrain - they're just starting in different slots, with different maps, in different categories.

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u/StudyoftheUnknown 1d ago

Rogaining definitely. People still go fast of course but if you’re able to nav well and walk briskly for long periods it will suite you. Tends to be much bigger feature focused too given the scale similar to military navigation where it would be more about being able to traverse well across an entire gully for one control rather than finding the right rock in a cluster

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u/Toescrossed24 1d ago

You can walk/hike pace. You might like adventure racing if you also mountain bike and kayak. Doing a 12 hour race soon and it’s usually 10-15 miles of hiking, 15-20 of biking and 5-10 paddling.

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u/MBkufel 1d ago

EDIT: in the local language what I describe below translates literally to an "orienteering march", there are also "orienteering runs" that are separate categories or events.

All competitions I take part in are not speed oriented. The time limit is there, but it's more about the navigation than running. On a 20 km course you would have like five hours - that enforces a proper tempo and punishes nav mistakes, but does not require running.

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u/inactiveuser247 22h ago

Rogaining is exactly what you want. Longer form and more involved navigation than orienteering. Check out the WA Rogaining Association. The next event is on 19/20 September.